An Israeli journalist visiting the West on a Harvard University fellowship says there is a great need for in-depth investigative newspaper reporting, despite competition from television news.
"Despite television, there is a great need for the quality press. It's (television) so shallow. It just gives you the bottom line," said Yossi Melman, a fellow of the Nieman Foundation for Journalism.Melman, a diplomatic correspondent for the Israeli daily newspaper Dayar, was in Salt Lake City earlier this week as part of his yearlong fellowship with the Nieman Foundation for Journalism.
The greatest difference between the American and the Israeli press is that U.S. newspapers offer more local news to their readers. Melman said the Israeli press pays greater attention to international coverage because world events have a direct impact on the country because of its relatively small population and geographical location.
Although he understands the U.S. press rationale for local and regional news coverage, Melman said American newspapers ought to offer readers more international news to help them develop a global perspective.
"It's a cliche but it's becoming a reality: The world is getting smaller and smaller. The need to have a better understanding is not just of broadening your own horizon. You can have very pragmatic reasons for knowing what's going on. Even a man in Casper, Wyo., needs to know how things internationally are effecting him," he said.
Melman, 38, is the author of several books, including The Master Terrorist and several articles on foreign policy, relations and secret intelligence. He and CBS News correspondent Dan Raviv are co-authoring a book on Israeli intelligence.
As a child, Melman said he wanted to be involved either in politics or journalism. "I was always fascinated by politics. When I was growing up, most of the kids were collecting cards with sports players on them. . . I was always cutting newspaper clippings of politicians. I look back and it's very funny," he said.
Melman, his wife and their 6-year-old son will return to Israel upon completion of the fellowship.